Jivin’ Ivan draws fans to the dance floor

“You don’t have to go very far to take advantage of good music. That’s a good thing for Waseca.” Variations of those words were repeated many times during the Waseca Arts Center’s second presentation of the Jivin’ Ivan and the Kings of Swing Band on April 29.  Jivin’ Ivan vocalist (and leader of frivolity) Dallas Musselman commented that they had a special song prepared just for Waseca–”April Showers”–because it rained on both nights they performed at the arts center. “ A year apart–how’d you guys do that?”

Along with Dallas, the Faribault-based band is made up of drummer Mark Whillock, fiddle and banjo player Mike Hildebrand, Doug Madow on the keyboard, bass player Paul Ousley, and Jivin’ Ivan Whillock on the guitar. For two hours the band played classic swing and jazz pieces from the golden era (1920-1950) to an audience of around 50. Numbers such as “Is You Is or Is You Ain’t My Baby” and “It Don’t Mean A Thing” quickly drew couples of all ages to the dance floor, as did waltzes and even a fast-moving polka.

 Arts Council Board of Directors member Bruce Boyce was pleased with the turnout despite the cool, wet night for the second year in a row. “They were very popular here last time, so we wanted to bring them back. They engage both local folks and people outside the community.”